The Victorias Milling Co. (VMC) and the VMC Foundation are launching the Negros Island-wide 5th Interschool Art Contest with computer packages to be given this time to the schools of the winning candidates.
Maria Ester Espina, project chair and PR consultant of VMC and VMC Foundation, disclosed Wednesday that there are changes this year in the holding of the Art Contest, which aims to “promote development of the youth in the field of visual arts”.
The contest is open to all bonafide students in Negros Island with three categories, namely, Elementary (Grade 1 to 6), High School Category (Grades 7-12), and Tertiary Category that will cover all colleges, universities and vocational schools in the island.
“Victory” is the theme for this year’s art competition, appropriately timed for the VMC’s centenary anniversary this year, said Espina.
The organizers will cover for all the requirements of the contestants, such as materials, travel, food and accommodation to Bacolod City, Negros Occidental for the On-The-Spot competition and thereafter, the awarding of winners, she added.
Apart from cash prizes and computer packages for the schools of winning artists, Espina disclosed that finalists are given the chance to participate in a mentorship program through workshops with experts in the field of visual arts.
For the tertiary levels, the winners will have the opportunity to launch their careers as visual artists through a sponsored exhibition, Espina said.
In Negros Oriental, the provincial government through the Provincial Tourism Office headed by Myla Mae Bromo Abellana, is the primary partner of the VMC Art Contest.
Compared to last year where contestants from Negros Oriental competed in the On-The-Spot Contest in Dumaguete, this time, the VMC will be bringing the qualified finalists to Bacolod City, Negros Occidental on September 22 and the final judging and awarding the following day.
The deadline for the submission of filled-out application forms is on Sept. 9 with sample work emailed to [email protected] and [email protected].
Meanwhile, Negros Oriental Provincial Tourism Officer Myla Mae Bromo Abellana said they are very grateful to partner with VMC for the art contest, describing it as an avenue for the students to develop their talents in visual arts.
She promised to reach out to more students who were not able to participate in the previous years.
This is the 5th year of the VMC Art Contest and the 3rd year in Negros Oriental. (Judy Flores Partlow/PNA)